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NIRT Staff at Halloween 2009 event This is just a few of the people who helped with the Halloween event during 2009, The Directors would like to thank all those who took part in this, with out you all we would have been completely overwhelmed! A much larger event is in the planning stage for 2010. Picture by : Simon Tasker |
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NIRT TOP XMAS TIPS!! Never leave your car keys with a reindeer - they can't be trusted. Diesel cars don't run on Petrol - whatever the brand you buy. Avoid using Coke as a substitute sherry - the public will catch you out even though you claim it's the real thing! Anon.
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HELP! The Chairman's on Santa's knee AGAIN !
Pictured: A sloshed Santa, proud Grandad The Rt Hon. Lord Pinkie of Kingsbury,W.C., baby Kira & mum Becky. Picture by : Jaime Nile |
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2009 was quite a good year actually for the trust. We have gained a number of new working members which has helped the trust enormously. We have achieved the targets which we set ourselves. The Directors anticipate further developments this year building upon the foundations all ready laid in 2009. During the last year, we called in the services of a scrap company to remove unwanted items of stock and heavy steel that we were unable to move in a cost effective way. This has seen the yard area transformed to an open space, albeit in a bit of a mess at the moment with remaining small items of rubbish still to be removed. The weather closed in during this work therefore this will be addressed in the New Year. The Directors all so passed through the opening up of the museum fully with the removal of unwanted junk which has accumulated over a number of years. We will need to purchase perhaps 2 containers for storage of assets to completely clear the area and then a programme of further restoration will commence. Fowler loco 4220001 is due to be repainted this year and will come into the shed for these works when the weather gets better. Currently this loco has run over 600 + hours faultlessly. Since rebuild it has required 2 new batteries – that’s all. The break van was repainted on one side during August and the other side will need attention this year. The Trust was awarded a £ 2000.00 grant from NCC towards the costs of the new disabled loo’s which is due to start very soon. The Café upgrade will start in the New Year with a new servery and appliances. Thanks must go to Councilor David Hugheston-Roberts for all his assistance with securing this grant.
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Halloween Husband & Wife Scare Crew
Picture by : Simon Tasker Brendan Lucey (the Desboro' Emperor of Evil) & the Westender Craft daemon Trish Lucey pose for a picture. After this picture was taken, poor Brendan was turned back into a builder and sent back to continue his cellar conversion.
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On the 6th December, the following New members passed a practical & written assessment on their NIRT PTS Certification: Aaron Pike, Glen Gallagher, Rob Maskall, Fiona Mildenhall, Mavis Wilmhurst. In addition, Glen & Rob have also passed their NIRT Xing attendant & NIRT Station attendant Certification too. Well done to you all. LINESIDE NEWS - The hedge laying work has nearly been completed, all rubbish has been burnt and the line is now much wider and more open. This has improved the whole look and feel of the park. This will enable us to sort out the track, once done the extension will be ready for use almost immediately. MUSEUM - A new sound system was purchased for events by a member which would rival any nightclub, this is stored off site for obvious security reasons. New lighting was installed throughout the museum which is fantastic along with a smaller sound system for films/dvd etc. This was used for Halloween this year but a more substantial system is required. Our theatre lighting rig was set up high in the museum for Halloween and it is awesome, this has multi functions for lighting exhibits/events. Infrastructure - Further track work will continue to open the stretch to Tunnel Halt. Currently funding for this is being discussed. A New station needs to be built and a design is in place to service this area. We shall be seeking the necessary permissions in due time. |
2009 Events held at Nirt Halloween 2009 was a massive hit with the visitors. During the 2 evenings some 35 staff were working on both nights and we were very busy. The Sealed Knot did an amazing job, once again, scaring our customers with ghosts & ghouls all over the site plus fire eating at the end of the line. Mr Kev Rootes was our guard and told our travelers ghost stories which were a very big hit, so much so that people kept going back for more rides to hear them again! Thanks must go to our commercial supporters Fastrak Maintenance & Travis Perkins. Santa Specials 2009 – Hunsbury had a white Xmas - OFFICAL, well certainly during our Santa Specials. Our sales were up this year a massive 64% on last year, we invested much more money on advertising which has lowered the profit margin, however this has not been in vain as the advertising / promotional boards etc can be used again for the next 2 seasons – which brings our profits into balance. Santa came again and was absolutely brilliant, one family of 18 said 'that this was the best Santa and best train they had ever been on' – praise in deed! Nirt is very proud of its Christmas event and we put this success down to our personal service and attention to detail. This years Santa Specials had a Victorian theme; with a number of members including the train crews dressed in Victorian dress. Fowler driver, Simon Tasker (aka Lord Perkins) & the Operations Manager, Kevin Smith aka Mr. Gladstone Roade (with a silent e) did take exception to the continuous Burke & Hare quips! Mr Ian Cave, Trust Director aka Mr B (without the ee) was chief elf. Our illustrious Chairman - Bill Nile aka Mr. Pinkie; personal butler to Lord Perkins was the butt of Santa's jokes - this is an annual event! It was a great shame though that Santa’s slay was clamped up at Foot Xing. It was also noted that Santa consumed far more sherry this year too. Thanks must go to our girls in the café: Sharon, Mavis, June, Amy & Lorna for their sterling work keeping the staff watered and the visitors happy. Special thanks to Trevor Cave & Kevin Rootes for their work. Our only minor problem was the heating system partially froze during the night of the 19th December. Fortunately, our friends at Travis Perkins Tool Hire – namely Brian & Andy saved the day at VERY short notice. We got this sorted very quickly with no impact on our visitors. Happy Days.
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Friends of Hunsbury Hill Country Park News The friends group secure grant for fencing. Missing area of fencing which boarders the railway can now be replaced after a successful bid by the group for funding. This will be carried out in the new year and is a small part of their plans for park improvements. Santa's Train in the snow
Pictured: Fowler 4220001 waits at the station ready for the 12.00 train on December 20th 2009. Picture by : Kevin Smith |
